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After sending her into the palace, he was worried every day. For years, he tried to entrust someone to find out about his niece’s situation inside, but unfortunately, they all turned out to be swindlers, with no one reliable. His niece Xiao Hua remained out of touch.

His whole person became thinner, thinning down to what he looked like today.

At this moment, suddenly hearing Xiao Hua’s childhood name, Lian Bingcheng was plunged into such grief that he couldn’t extricate himself, when suddenly he remembered something. If His Majesty mentioned it, did he know news of Xiao Hua?

Thinking of this, Lian Bingcheng suddenly regained his senses, wiped away his tears with hope, looked up anxiously at the Emperor, and asked, "Your Majesty, do you know of Xiao Hua? Is she well, is Xiao Hua still well?"

Speaking, he couldn’t help but voice his deep sorrow again.

The Emperor looked at Lian Bingcheng, feeling increasingly heavy in his heart, as if a huge stone were lodged there. There must be a story here, likely an unhappy one. What exactly had his Little Concubine gone through to make Lian Bingcheng this grief-stricken?

Hearing this question, the Emperor suppressed the heaviness in his heart and nodded, "Mr. Lian, rest assured, Nannan is fine. When the time comes, I will arrange for you to meet her."

Lian Bingcheng was overjoyed, unable to conceal his joy: "That’s wonderful, truly wonderful..."

The lean old man began to dance with happiness.

The heaviness in the Emperor’s heart did not ease in the slightest. Once Lian Bingcheng had calmed down a bit, to reassure him, he spoke about Lian Hua’s condition.

He then took out the Jade Pendant that had belonged to Lian Hua, showed it to Lian Bingcheng, and said he would take good care of Lian Hua, asking the old man not to worry.

Lian Bingcheng, looking at the Jade Pendant inscribed with a small lotus flower, caressed it carefully, his heart surging with emotion. This was Xiao Hua’s most treasured possession, which she kept close even during the catastrophe, never wanting to part with it.

Giving it to His Majesty showed how much trust and importance Xiao Hua placed in His Majesty. What His Majesty had just said must be credible...

Once the Emperor saw that his emotions had stabilized, he asked in a deep voice, "Mr. Lian, where are Nannan’s parents and older brother now?"

Upon hearing this, Lian Bingcheng was reminded, yes, yes, yes, His Majesty was right here. He was so muddleheaded; how could he have forgotten?

Thus, he knelt down with a thud, unable to be pulled up, his voice tinged with both sorrow and deep-seated hatred: "Your Majesty, people say you are wise and just, and you rule this vast land with order.

Under your governance, the people enjoy good days of peace and happiness.

But even in this world, there are evildoers at large.

I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice and vindicate Brother Changhe and his family. .."

Having said this, he wouldn’t raise his head again.

A sense of foreboding arose in the Emperor, "Changhe?"

Was it the name of the Little Concubine’s father? The Emperor could not be certain, his expression grew grave. What could have happened that justice was required!

"It is Xiao Hua’s father—Lian Changhe!"

Lian Bingcheng raised his head, his face full of indignation, and began to recount, "Seven years ago, Brother Changhe’s entire family was exiled, accused of colluding with river pirates and harming the common folk.

Of the family of six, only Xiao Hua escaped, and she narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

Left with no other choice, I had to send Xiao Hua into the palace. .."

As he spoke, Lian Bingcheng was overcome with grief, his lips trembling.

He suppressed his emotions, saying, "As far as I know, Brother Changhe is honest and kind-hearted, so how could he be involved with river pirates. I do not believe it. I personally visited the south, and everyone clammed up when this matter was mentioned, avoiding it like the plague. If Brother Changhe really had committed a crime, why would the common people react like this? I deduce he must have been framed, but unfortunately, I am powerless and could not uncover the truth. And as for the whereabouts of Brother Changhe’s wife and children, I’ve been unable to find out for many years. I’m afraid... I fear that..."

Lian Bingcheng wept incoherently, unable to continue with his account.

Realizing someone was after Xiao Hua, he had no choice but to send her into the palace, then moved house overnight for fear of further trouble, and even altered the family records to include her.

Having settled these affairs, he ventured south to make inquiries, only to find those around him pale at the question, evasive in their response.

Some well-meaning individuals warned him in private that the person he sought was likely in grave danger and advised him to leave quickly, as it was not a matter a mere commoner could meddle with.

He was obstinate and his probing did not go unnoticed. He almost got captured by the local corrupt officials. It was only with the help of some benevolent souls that he managed to escape and return. Since then, his spouse forbade any further investigation.

Ever since, he had entrusted others to inquire discreetly, collecting bits and pieces of information, but to this day, he had no clear leads.

The Emperor’s anger intensified as he listened, a towering inferno of rage coupled with unbearable heartache.

Little Concubine had been so young at the time, how had she escaped, and how had she managed to travel from the south all the way to Yanqing Mansion?

It must have been replete with trials and tribulations. How had such a little girl survived?

At this thought, the Emperor’s heart felt as if it was being sliced with a knife. Hearing the unfinished words of Lian Bingcheng added a profound layer of sorrow and desolation. If Little Concubine knew, what an immense blow it would be.

He recalled the tender smile she wore when she spoke of her family, her eyes brimming with longing, her determination to repay her family’s debts and her resolve to reunite with them.

With each recollection, his heart grew heavier with sorrow.

How was he to break this news to her now, and how could he dare let her know?

The Emperor’s throat was tight, his eyes red with suppressed fury, as he asked, "Do you know who is responsible, sir?"

Lian Bingcheng shook his head, tears streaming down his face, his expression full of guilt and self-reproach. He felt useless, so utterly useless for not having uncovered the truth of those years past or found any evidence.

The Emperor helped Lian Bingcheng to his feet and declared resolutely, "Rest assured, sir. Leave this matter to me. I shall see to it that justice is served for the Lian Family, and I will find Nannan’s parents and her three brothers!"

Alive, they must be seen; dead, their bodies must be found!

Turning to Hu Miaomiao, who stood with bowed head, the Emperor spoke with murderous intent, "Send someone south to search for them immediately, and secretly bring back those who handled the case. If they resist, show no mercy!"

He was eager to see who had such power to operate unchecked by the, who could behave so tyrannically in the localities!

"Yes, Your Majesty," Hu Miaomiao knelt to accept the order, knowing that His Majesty was truly enraged. This matter was not merely about Beauty Lian’s family but also involved the Imperial Court’s laws and governance. It could not end well.

The Emperor closed his eyes to calm his emotions, knowing that it was not the right time for drastic measures that might shake the regions too severely. How he wished he could dispatch ministers right now, leading troops to inspect every province and county, to see if any ’local emperors’ existed!

He wanted all under heaven to see that even though heaven was high, the Emperor was not too far away!

But at this critical juncture, he would have to wait until Xue Ping and his ilk were dealt with before making any moves. For now, he had to exercise patience.

Lian Bingcheng’s face still wet with tears, stared with his eyes wide and mouth agape, looking incredulously as though he were floating in a dream, his legs felt wobbly as if he weren’t standing on solid ground.

Just earlier that afternoon, he was agonizing over how to leave the place, inwardly cursing the villain who had confined his family, certain that karma would come around.

In less than a single shichen, his state of mind had undergone several dramatic changes, turning his world upside down.